Actor Ryusei Yokohama stars in the NHK Taiga drama "UNBOUND (Berabou)" (General TV, Sundays at 8pm and others). The drama reached an end with the 16th episode, "Farewell Gennai, the pilgrimage to Horai", which aired on April 20th. The 17th episode, "Sakura in Bloom", will air on May 4th, and a new chapter will finally begin in which Tsutaju (Yokohama) will begin his full-fledged career as a stage director. Chief director Ohara Taku shared his impression of Fuka Koshiba, who plays Segawa, one of the people who has made a great contribution to the drama's success so far.
◇ Her first appearance in a taiga drama was as a legendary courtesan.
"UNBOUND (Berabou)" is the 64th taiga drama, depicting the life of Tsutaya Juzaburo(or "Tsutajyu" for short), who is said to have built the foundations of Japan's media industry and pop culture. The script was written by Yoshiko Morishita, known for "Drama 10 'Ooku'" which was broadcast on NHK two years ago and became a big hit.
This was Ko Shibasaki's first appearance in a taiga drama, and she played the legendary courtesan Segawa (Hananoi/Sei).
Segawa is a childhood friend of the protagonist Tsutaju, and although he and Tsutaju share a deep affection for each other, he is bought by Toriyama Kengyo (Hayato Ichihara) and leaves Yoshiwara. Later, when the shogunate cracks down on the Todo-za theater, Segawa is arrested and divorced by Kengyo. Just when it seems he will finally be able to be with Tsutaju, he chooses to step aside, believing that his "notorious" presence will hinder Tsutaju's dreams.
◇ "It lived up to my expectations, or rather, it exceeded my expectations."
Regarding Koshiba's acting so far, Ohara said, "It's lived up to my expectations, or maybe even exceeded my expectations. She's expressed all aspects of the image of a Yoshiwara woman, including her romantic side."
"At the same time, her appearance tightens the picture. I'm sorry, but this is the director's way of putting it, but the screen is vibrant, and not only vibrant but also tight and well-rounded, and I think that her charm played a big part in that. She has a definite presence, and she expresses the fact that there was a person called Segawa. It is because she has such a large presence that Tsutaju is clearly visible as a person. Things that wouldn't be visible if she was alone, but having a comrade, a soul mate, a friend who has walked together, a unique presence, creates the solid base that is Tsutaju. I think it was thanks to Koshiba-san that this was born."
